2017 Summer/Spring budget allows for:

(7) day trip from KONP (Newport) to PAGS (Gustavus)
(14) days cruising Glacier Bay, various lakes and cabins in the vicinity
(7) day return

Aircraft: 8GCBC, 2100A

With a (28) day window what time would be recommended departing? May, June or
July time frame.

Longest day will be June 21th:


"Sunniest" month is July and "Driest" is June (May, June July considered only in matrix):


Thanks for any input.

I personally would target the last two weeks of May for departure and pick a weather window. May, in my experience (several summers, not a lifetime) is pretty nice with often decent weather, fewer bugs, fewer tourists. Return trip is a crap shoot that far out - could be nice or could be very rainy. But if you have a week or so for the return, then you are likely to find a reasonable weather window in there in mid-June.

My experience only, hopefully others who have lived or spent time will also chime in.

One of the issues to take into account is that if the weather is good in the Puget Sound area, it usually is not as good in SE AK and visa-versa. The chance of getting a period of stable, clear air covering that entire area is very slim.

GregA wrote:I personally would target the last two weeks of May for departure and pick a weather window. May, in my experience (several summers, not a lifetime) is pretty nice with often decent weather, fewer bugs, fewer tourists. Return trip is a crap shoot that far out - could be nice or could be very rainy. But if you have a week or so for the return, then you are likely to find a reasonable weather window in there in mid-June.

My experience only, hopefully others who have lived or spent time will also chime in.

Thank you GregA for the guidance.

I flew the Coast in 2015.JUN and it was beautiful (KONP-PAKT). Just don't push anything... weather, etc!

Below is my "Cruel Summer" video (you will need a full cup of coffee to watch start to finish). (4) days before Summer Solstice:

jugheadF15 wrote:One of the issues to take into account is that if the weather is good in the Puget Sound area, it usually is not as good in SE AK and visa-versa. The chance of getting a period of stable, clear air covering that entire area is very slim.

Thank you JugheadF15. Good to have a plan "B" or "C" with weather in that area it seems.

Recorded weather suggests month of August as the "Sunniest" for CAN/USA border:

Seattle, USA:


Vancouver, BC:


Victoria, BC:

Back in the day, we used to say that the week of the 28th of May was when all the "Chamber of Commerce" pictures were taken. I'd say as long as you're in the window starting there and ending later in June you'll be golden.

I've got some company starting June 12 for a week but anytime before or after there's a bed for ya and my wife is a hell of a cook. Can put you in the hangar if needed and can hook you up with one of the local inns if you'd rather go that route. Call or text 907-209-0514. Missed ya in OR but hope we connect in AK.

gbflyer wrote:Back in the day, we used to say that the week of the 28th of May was when all the "Chamber of Commerce" pictures were taken. I'd say as long as you're in the window starting there and ending later in June you'll be golden.

I've got some company starting June 12 for a week but anytime before or after there's a bed for ya and my wife is a hell of a cook. Can put you in the hangar if needed and can hook you up with one of the local inns if you'd rather go that route. Call or text 907-209-0514. Missed ya in OR but hope we connect in AK.

Unreal. Thank you for the Aloha! You are fully stoking this trip!

On the reciprocal anytime you are in Hawaii call me bro: This is New Year's Day 2017.:

We've got a few fish around here too. I am boatless at present, but I can find you a spot with a friend who operates a couple of charters.

gbflyer wrote:We've got a few fish around here too. I am boatless at present, but I can find you a spot with a friend who operates a couple of charters.

No worries Mate. Just being in Alaska for a few weeks will be a spiritual event for me! Can't describe the beautiful feeling! ...its the best!

I'll check the "Inn" scene, any ideas? I appreciate everything you offer, however!!!

Annie Mae Lodge. 907-697-2346. anniemae.com

If you end up on the inland route, we have a guest cabinette at our cabin in Atlin, BC (over the hill from Juneau/Skagway). We should be there by late May.

Greg

GregA wrote:If you end up on the inland route, we have a guest cabinette at our cabin in Atlin, BC (over the hill from Juneau/Skagway). We should be there by late May.

Greg

Very nice! The Atlin area looks beautiful for float planes! I believe there is a customs office at the seaplane base. I will stay in touch, would love to see your place!

Thank you!

Looking at the Canadian VNC...we could follow the train tracks North until Fraser. Then fly Eastward twords Lowry Lake and continue East to Atlin Lake:



The weather looks fantastic in Summer!


My ship:

Not really a customs office, but the RCMP will send someone down to the dock to check you in when you arrive. Alternatively you can check in at Fraser Lake customs before heading east. The route you have planned is a beautiful flight down Fantail Lake and over to Atlin. You will go by my buddy's place (says "bldg" on the shore just east of your turn point - can drop in for tea - he has a dock etc. there and flies a super cub on floats out of there) on Tagish Lake enroute. Lots of interesting places to see around Atlin on floats.

Anyway, let me know if you get up this way and want to visit.

Greg

P.S. no need to bring fish - we have plenty of those in the lake!

GregA wrote:Not really a customs office, but the RCMP will send someone down to the dock to check you in when you arrive. Alternatively you can check in at Fraser Lake customs before heading east. The route you have planned is a beautiful flight down Fantail Lake and over to Atlin. You will go by my buddy's place (says "bldg" on the shore just east of your turn point - can drop in for tea - he has a dock etc. there and flies a super cub on floats out of there) on Tagish Lake enroute. Lots of interesting places to see around Atlin on floats.

Anyway, let me know if you get up this way and want to visit.

Greg

P.S. no need to bring fish - we have plenty of those in the lake!

Thank you GregA !! If weather, budget etc. works out, I'll say hello! If you get to Hawaii, then there's Molokai for a few days on me.

Video entering Molokai's Kaunakakai Harbor after crossing from Oahu:

Anchored for the evening, Molokai:

GregA, side note:

I just completed an IA Seminar at Portland Community College in which Scott McDaniel (well respected prototype manager at Van's) gave a presentation on "Conditional Inspections" concerning RVs. If you need an IA, give me a shout. Free for backcounty guys with proof of residence above latitude 48.

I know I'm not close by but anyway it's an offer

8GCBC wrote:Below is my "Cruel Summer" video (you will need a full cup of coffee to watch start to finish). (4) days before Summer Solstice:

Dang. I've been on this site longer than I thought. I watched the whole thing when you posted it. Very nice footage.

Thank you everybody for the kindness, guidance and criticism. In order to meet my wife (Mary) in Juneau this Summer, we are discussing a rendezvous circa 2017.07.10. Much later date than I hoped. Work, etc. has priorities, also Ahi season is near.

Note to self:

JUNE-05: begin annual inspection, pitot static check, general maintenance on Scout
JUNE-20 to 27: departure window solo KONP to SE AK
JULY-08 Mary leaves Honolulu to Juneau
JULY-22 Mary leaves Juneau back to Honolulu
JULY-20 to 27: return solo KONP

Very rough estimation of my proposed flight path to Glacier Bay National Park (PAGS):


Please comment.

I've always done it on the other side of the rock pile then cross at Smithers to Rupert then up. But never had floats. If there is weather, chances are you'll find it on the ocean side of the rocks.

gbflyer wrote:I've always done it on the other side of the rock pile then cross at Smithers to Rupert then up. But never had floats. If there is weather, chances are you'll find it on the ocean side of the rocks.

Thank you "Gbflyer" for the PIREP. Agreed, coastal route is not popular (for obvious reason) I am told. During 2015.JUNE, I saw few aircraft. It's pretty much the "Wild West" still. Very beautiful and lonely on most legs.

The Skeena River Valley from Smithers to Prince Rupert is beyond words! Who needs Yosemite?

2015.06.23 Skeena River 60NM North of Prince Rupert:


2015.06.23 Unnamed lake next to Skeena River:


2015.06.13 Terrace, BC, Skeena River:


2015.06 BC HWY (16) (Smithers-Prince Rupert) ending at the mouth of Skeena River: